EP1141436A1 - Steel wire with bright looking surface - Google Patents

Steel wire with bright looking surface

Info

Publication number
EP1141436A1
EP1141436A1 EP99958182A EP99958182A EP1141436A1 EP 1141436 A1 EP1141436 A1 EP 1141436A1 EP 99958182 A EP99958182 A EP 99958182A EP 99958182 A EP99958182 A EP 99958182A EP 1141436 A1 EP1141436 A1 EP 1141436A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coating
steel wire
polymer
wire
steel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99958182A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1141436B1 (en
Inventor
Ludo Adriaensen
Alain Leplae
Gilbert Van Loo
Gerard Vandewalle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bekaert NV SA
Original Assignee
Bekaert NV SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bekaert NV SA filed Critical Bekaert NV SA
Priority to EP03101506A priority Critical patent/EP1380402B1/en
Priority to EP99958182A priority patent/EP1141436B1/en
Publication of EP1141436A1 publication Critical patent/EP1141436A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1141436B1 publication Critical patent/EP1141436B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/26—After-treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
    • B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
    • B05D5/067—Metallic effect
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
    • B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
    • B05D5/067—Metallic effect
    • B05D5/068—Metallic effect achieved by multilayers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D7/20—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to wires
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D7/50—Multilayers
    • B05D7/52—Two layers
    • B05D7/53—Base coat plus clear coat type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/06—Rod-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/15—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/15—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
    • B29C48/154—Coating solid articles, i.e. non-hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/30—Extrusion nozzles or dies
    • B29C48/304—Extrusion nozzles or dies specially adapted for bringing together components, e.g. melts within the die
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C28/00—Coating for obtaining at least two superposed coatings either by methods not provided for in a single one of groups C23C2/00 - C23C26/00 or by combinations of methods provided for in subclasses C23C and C25C or C25D
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B3/00—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties
    • H01B3/18—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances
    • H01B3/30—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances plastics; resins; waxes
    • H01B3/42—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances plastics; resins; waxes polyesters; polyethers; polyacetals
    • H01B3/421—Polyesters
    • H01B3/422—Linear saturated polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
    • H01B3/423—Linear aromatic polyesters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D2350/00—Pretreatment of the substrate
    • B05D2350/60—Adding a layer before coating
    • B05D2350/65—Adding a layer before coating metal layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B29K2067/006—PBT, i.e. polybutylene terephthalate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/0005—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing compounding ingredients
    • B29K2105/0032—Pigments, colouring agents or opacifiyng agents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2705/00—Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
    • B29K2995/002—Coloured
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
    • B29K2995/0026—Transparent
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/707—Cables, i.e. two or more filaments combined together, e.g. ropes, cords, strings, yarns

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coated steel wire having a bright looking colored surface and to a method of manufacturing a coated steel wire having a bright looking colored surface.
  • Such a lacquered wire has the advantage of having an excellent corrosion resistance due to the duplex layer "zinc + lacquer" and the advantage of offering a variety of colors.
  • the lacquer does not stick on the surface of the wire due to its inherent lack of tenacity.
  • Still another problem is the relatively high coefficient of friction of lacquer coatings. This considerably slows down the speed of the downstream processing of the lacquered steel wire.
  • a steel wire with a bright looking and preferably colored surface is covered with an intermediate coating layer which gives the brightness to the steel wire and is further coated with a polymer being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polycarbonates, crystalline polyvinylchlorides and polyphtalamides.
  • This polymer is transparent.
  • the polymer is preferably colored, e.g. by comprising a transparent coloring agent, which can be added to the polymer in the form of small grains in a carrier of a similar or same polymer.
  • the coloring agent may be organic.
  • the group of polyimides comprises polyamide imide, polyester imide, polyether imide and polyanyl imide.
  • Polyamide imide provides a good adhesion and has a high melting point.
  • the coating is a thermoplastic polyester such as polyethylene terephtalate (“PET”), polybutylene terephtalate (“PBT”) and polyethylene naphtenate (“PEN").
  • polyethylene terephtalate since it combines the better properties such as high tenacity, low humidity absorption with a relatively low cost.
  • polyethylene terephtalate or "PET” denote not only homopolymers of ethylene therephtalate but also copolymers of ethylene terephtalate containing not more than 20% of other copolymerized units, e.g. derived from other acids than terephtalic acid, such as isophtalic acid or from other glycols than ethylene glycol.
  • the polymer may also contain mixtures of polymers in order to modify certain of the properties thereof.
  • the polyethylene teraphtalate coating is more than 50% amorphous, and preferably more than 70% amorphous. This may be achieved by rapid cooling after the extrusion process. In comparison with a crystalline structure of the coating, an amorphous polyethylene teraphtalate coating, for example, has a more pronounced luster and is more flexible.
  • Recrystallisation may occur in course of time. In comparison with a PBT coating, recrystallisation happens much slower with a polyethylene terephtalate coating. This is an advantage for a polyethylene terephtalate coating over PBT coating.
  • One way of giving the original brightness to the steel wire is by applying an intermediate metallic coating such as a copper coating, a copper alloy coating such as bronze or brass, a zinc coating, a zinc alloy coating such as a 95% zinc 5% aluminum alloy, a nickel coating, a nickel alloy coating, a tin coating, or a tin alloy coating.
  • an intermediate metallic coating such as a copper coating, a copper alloy coating such as bronze or brass, a zinc coating, a zinc alloy coating such as a 95% zinc 5% aluminum alloy, a nickel coating, a nickel alloy coating, a tin coating, or a tin alloy coating.
  • Another way of giving the original brightness to the steel wire is by applying an intermediate coating such as a copper-tin sulfate coating or a copper-sulfate coating.
  • the degree of brightness of the steel wire can be quantified on the bright intermediate coating of the steel wire, either before coating with the transparent polymer, or after removal of the transparent polymer. This quantification has the advantage of being independent of the color of the polymer and of the thickness of the polymer.
  • the degree of brightness of the steel wire can also be quantified on the final steel wire, i.e. coated with the transparent polymer, but may have the disadvantage of being dependent upon the color of the polymer, if any, and upon the thickness of the polymer.
  • the quantification can be done either by determining the peripheral roughness of the steel wire or by determining the so-called L-value of the steel wire.
  • a method of manufacturing a steel wire having a bright looking colored surface comprises the following steps : (a) providing a steel wire ; (b) coating the steel wire with an intermediate coating layer ;
  • coloring a polymer e.g. by adding a coloring agent to the polymer, where the polymer is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyphtalamides;
  • the coating of the steel wire with the intermediate coating layer can be done by means of a hot dip operation, or by means of an electrolytic coating process.
  • a required degree of brightness can be given to the intermediate coating layer by wet drawing the intermediately coated steel wire in a suitable lubricant. However, wet drawing is not necessary to obtain the required degree of brightness. This required degree of brightness can also be obtained on the steel wire on its final diameter by suitably cooling the wire immediately after it leaves the bath in a hot dip galvanizing operation, or by electroplating the steel wire.
  • the further coating with a transparent polymer can be done by means of an extrusion process.
  • the invention is particularly applicable to steel wires which are subjected to high mechanical deformations.
  • a typical diameter range for bookbinding wire is from 0.60 mm to 1.80 mm.
  • a spoke wire For high carbon steel wire, which is steel wire with a carbon content above 0.25 %, a spoke wire may be subjected to high mechanical deformation.
  • a spoke wire coated according to the invention and having a fluorescent color may be particularly advantageous with respect to security.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a transversal cross-section of a steel wire according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 1 represents a transversal cross-section of a steel wire 10 according to the invention.
  • the steel wire 10 comprises a steel core 12, a thin coating 14 of wet drawn zinc so that a bright appearance is obtained and an outer coating 16 of transparent polyethelene teraphtalate.
  • the coating 16 of polyethylene teraphtalate comprises a transparent organic coloring agent which gives to the steel wire 10 a bright and metallic like appearance.
  • Such a steel wire according to the invention can be manufactured as follows.
  • Starting material is a low carbon wire rod with a diameter of about 5.5 mm. This wire rod is dry drawn until an intermediate diameter of 3.0 mm.
  • the thus drawn steel wire is subjected to heat treatment and is hot dip galvanized at this intermediate diameter of 3.0 mm.
  • the galvanized steel wire is now wet drawn in a soap solution until a final diameter of 1.2 mm. This wet drawing gives the galvanized steel wire its bright appearance.
  • the drawn steel wire is degreased in order to remove all remaining drawing lubricants from the surface of the steel wire.
  • a transparant polyethylene teraphtalate coating with transparent organic coloring agents is applied to the steel wire.
  • the thickness of the polyethylene teraphtalate is coating is about 35 micrometer (35 ⁇ m). Conveniently, these thicknesses range from 10 ⁇ m to 200 ⁇ m, preferably from 25 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m. Typical values are 35 ⁇ m for bookbinding wire and 50 ⁇ m for spoke wire.
  • the thus obtained invention steel wire is suitable for use as a bookbinding wire.
  • the polyethylene teraphtalate coating adheres well to the steel wire and can withstand the mechanical deformations to which a wires such as a bookbinding wire are normally subjected.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Ropes Or Cables (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Paints Or Removers (AREA)
  • Coating With Molten Metal (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Other Surface Treatments For Metallic Materials (AREA)
  • Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electric Cables (AREA)

Abstract

A coated steel wire (10) with a bright looking, preferably colored surface has a steel core (12) and this steel core (12) is covered with an intermediate coating layer (14) which give the brightness to the steel wire. The steel wire is further coated with a transparent polymer (16) which is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyphtalamides and which comprises a transparent organic coloring agent. In comparison with lacquer coatings the present polymer coating has an enhanced tenacity.

Description

STEEL WIRE WITH BRIGHT LOOKING SURFACE
Field of the invention.
The present invention relates to a coated steel wire having a bright looking colored surface and to a method of manufacturing a coated steel wire having a bright looking colored surface.
Background of the invention.
A number of attempts have already been made to give to a steel wire a bright looking surface and to maintain an acceptable level of brightness during the life of the wire. All of these attempts, however, have some major disadvantages.
One of these attempts has consisted in galvanizing a steel wire and enameling the galvanized steel wire so that a lacquered wire is obtained.
Such a lacquered wire has the advantage of having an excellent corrosion resistance due to the duplex layer "zinc + lacquer" and the advantage of offering a variety of colors. Experience, however, has shown that for applications where the wire is subjected to high mechanical deformations, the lacquer does not stick on the surface of the wire due to its inherent lack of tenacity.
Still another problem is the relatively high coefficient of friction of lacquer coatings. This considerably slows down the speed of the downstream processing of the lacquered steel wire.
Summary of the invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a corrosion resistant steel wire with a bright, preferably colored surface.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a steel wire with a typical metallic looking color.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a steel wire with transparent colored coating which conserves its transparency. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adherent coating to a bright steel wire without much decreasing the original degree of brightness of the steel wire.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an environment friendly method of giving a bright metallic looking color to a steel wire.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steel wire with a bright looking and preferably colored surface. The steel wire is covered with an intermediate coating layer which gives the brightness to the steel wire and is further coated with a polymer being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polycarbonates, crystalline polyvinylchlorides and polyphtalamides. This polymer is transparent. The polymer is preferably colored, e.g. by comprising a transparent coloring agent, which can be added to the polymer in the form of small grains in a carrier of a similar or same polymer. The coloring agent may be organic. An immediate advantage is that a variety of embodiments are possible depending upon the concentration and type of coloring agent. Metallic like colors and fluorescent colors may be applied to the steel wire in this way.
In comparison with a lacquer coating, these transparent polymers are more tenacious and have a lower coefficient of friction. A friction force test demonstrates that a nylon coating or a polyethylene terephtalate coating provides a friction resistance which is three times smaller than the friction resistance of a zinc coating.
The group of polyimides comprises polyamide imide, polyester imide, polyether imide and polyanyl imide. Polyamide imide, as a matter of example, provides a good adhesion and has a high melting point. Preferably the coating is a thermoplastic polyester such as polyethylene terephtalate ("PET"), polybutylene terephtalate ("PBT") and polyethylene naphtenate ("PEN").
The most preferable embodiment amongst these is polyethylene terephtalate, since it combines the better properties such as high tenacity, low humidity absorption with a relatively low cost.
Within the context of the present invention, the terms "polyethylene terephtalate" or "PET" denote not only homopolymers of ethylene therephtalate but also copolymers of ethylene terephtalate containing not more than 20% of other copolymerized units, e.g. derived from other acids than terephtalic acid, such as isophtalic acid or from other glycols than ethylene glycol. The polymer may also contain mixtures of polymers in order to modify certain of the properties thereof.
The polyethylene teraphtalate coating is more than 50% amorphous, and preferably more than 70% amorphous. This may be achieved by rapid cooling after the extrusion process. In comparison with a crystalline structure of the coating, an amorphous polyethylene teraphtalate coating, for example, has a more pronounced luster and is more flexible.
Recrystallisation, however, may occur in course of time. In comparison with a PBT coating, recrystallisation happens much slower with a polyethylene terephtalate coating. This is an advantage for a polyethylene terephtalate coating over PBT coating.
In comparison with coatings of polyamides such as nylon-6 (PA6), a polyethylene terephtalate coating has a better adhesion and adhesion retention, has a higher corrosion resistance, has a better resistance against ultra-violet light (= better weatherability) and has a lower absorption of water or moisture, and, as a consequence, maintains much better its original degree of transparency and luster. More particularly, polyethylene teraphtalate coating absorbs only one tenth of the amount of moisture absorbed by a nylon-6 coating in the same circumstances. Moreover, application of a polyethylene teraphtalate coating can be done in an environment-friendly way, i.e. with a much more simpler pre- treatment without the use of chromic acids which would otherwise decrease the degree of brightness and without the use of primers which could also jeopardize the original degree of brightness.
One way of giving the original brightness to the steel wire is by applying an intermediate metallic coating such as a copper coating, a copper alloy coating such as bronze or brass, a zinc coating, a zinc alloy coating such as a 95% zinc 5% aluminum alloy, a nickel coating, a nickel alloy coating, a tin coating, or a tin alloy coating.
Another way of giving the original brightness to the steel wire is by applying an intermediate coating such as a copper-tin sulfate coating or a copper-sulfate coating.
The degree of brightness of the steel wire can be quantified on the bright intermediate coating of the steel wire, either before coating with the transparent polymer, or after removal of the transparent polymer. This quantification has the advantage of being independent of the color of the polymer and of the thickness of the polymer. The degree of brightness of the steel wire can also be quantified on the final steel wire, i.e. coated with the transparent polymer, but may have the disadvantage of being dependent upon the color of the polymer, if any, and upon the thickness of the polymer.
The quantification can be done either by determining the peripheral roughness of the steel wire or by determining the so-called L-value of the steel wire. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a steel wire having a bright looking colored surface. The method comprises the following steps : (a) providing a steel wire ; (b) coating the steel wire with an intermediate coating layer ;
(c) giving a degree of brightness to the intermediate coating ;
(d) coloring a polymer e.g. by adding a coloring agent to the polymer, where the polymer is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyphtalamides;
(e) further coating the bright steel wire with the polymer (16).
The coating of the steel wire with the intermediate coating layer can be done by means of a hot dip operation, or by means of an electrolytic coating process.
A required degree of brightness can be given to the intermediate coating layer by wet drawing the intermediately coated steel wire in a suitable lubricant. However, wet drawing is not necessary to obtain the required degree of brightness. This required degree of brightness can also be obtained on the steel wire on its final diameter by suitably cooling the wire immediately after it leaves the bath in a hot dip galvanizing operation, or by electroplating the steel wire.
The further coating with a transparent polymer can be done by means of an extrusion process.
The invention is particularly applicable to steel wires which are subjected to high mechanical deformations.
For low carbon steel wire, which is steel wire with a carbon content below 0.20 %, following types of wires are subjected to high mechanical deformations : bookbinding wire, box stapling wire, weaving wire, mattress wire, paper clip wire, coat hanger wire, bucket wire, tie wire, lamp shade wire, decoration wire, braiding wire, stitching wire ... A typical diameter range for bookbinding wire is from 0.60 mm to 1.80 mm.
For high carbon steel wire, which is steel wire with a carbon content above 0.25 %, a spoke wire may be subjected to high mechanical deformation. A spoke wire coated according to the invention and having a fluorescent color may be particularly advantageous with respect to security.
Brief description of the drawings.
The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing being - FIGURE 1 , which shows a transversal cross-section of a steel wire according to the invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIGURE 1 represents a transversal cross-section of a steel wire 10 according to the invention. The steel wire 10 comprises a steel core 12, a thin coating 14 of wet drawn zinc so that a bright appearance is obtained and an outer coating 16 of transparent polyethelene teraphtalate. The coating 16 of polyethylene teraphtalate comprises a transparent organic coloring agent which gives to the steel wire 10 a bright and metallic like appearance.
Such a steel wire according to the invention can be manufactured as follows.
Starting material is a low carbon wire rod with a diameter of about 5.5 mm. This wire rod is dry drawn until an intermediate diameter of 3.0 mm.
The thus drawn steel wire is subjected to heat treatment and is hot dip galvanized at this intermediate diameter of 3.0 mm. The galvanized steel wire is now wet drawn in a soap solution until a final diameter of 1.2 mm. This wet drawing gives the galvanized steel wire its bright appearance. The drawn steel wire is degreased in order to remove all remaining drawing lubricants from the surface of the steel wire. Finally, a transparant polyethylene teraphtalate coating with transparent organic coloring agents is applied to the steel wire. The thickness of the polyethylene teraphtalate is coating is about 35 micrometer (35 μm). Conveniently, these thicknesses range from 10 μm to 200 μm, preferably from 25 μm to 50 μm. Typical values are 35 μm for bookbinding wire and 50 μm for spoke wire.
The thus obtained invention steel wire is suitable for use as a bookbinding wire. The polyethylene teraphtalate coating adheres well to the steel wire and can withstand the mechanical deformations to which a wires such as a bookbinding wire are normally subjected.

Claims

1. A coated steel wire (10) having a bright looking surface, said steel wire (10) having a steel core (12), said steel core (12) being covered with an intermediate coating layer
(14), said steel wire being further coated with a polymer (16) being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, poiyamides, polyphtalamides, crystalline polyvinylchlorides and polycarbonates, said polymer being transparent.
2. A steel wire according to claim 1 , wherein said polymer is colored.
3. A steel wire according to claim 1, said polymer comprising a transparent coloring agent.
4. A steel wire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said polymer is a thermoplastic polyester selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephtalate, polybutylene terephtalate and polyethylene naphtenate.
5. A steel wire according to claim 4, wherein said thermoplastic polyester is polyethylene terephtalate.
6. A steel wire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said coloring agent is organic.
7. A steel wire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said intermediate coating is a metallic coating such as a copper coating, a copper alloy coating, a zinc coating, a zinc alloy coating, a nickel coating, a nickel alloy, a tin coating or a tin alloy coating.
8. A steel wire according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said intermediate coating is a coating such as a copper-tin sulfate coating or a copper-sulfate coating.
9. A method of manufacturing a coated steel wire (10) having a bright looking colored surface, said method comprising the following steps : (a) providing a steel core (12) ;
(b) coating said steel core (12) with an intermediate coating layer (14) ;
(c) giving a degree of brightness to said intermediate coating (14) ;
(d) using a transparent polymer (16), said polymer being selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyesters, polyimides, polyamides, polyphtalamides and polycarbonates ;
(e) further coating said bright steel wire with said polymer (16).
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said coating with said intermediate coating layer is done by means of a hot dip operation.
11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, said method further comprising the step of coloring said polymer.
12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein said giving of a degree of brightness to said intermediate coating is done by wet drawing the coated steel wire.
13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein said further coating with a polymer is done by an extrusion process.
EP99958182A 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface Expired - Lifetime EP1141436B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03101506A EP1380402B1 (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface
EP99958182A EP1141436B1 (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98204259 1998-12-15
EP98204259 1998-12-15
PCT/EP1999/009718 WO2000036177A1 (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface
EP99958182A EP1141436B1 (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03101506A Division EP1380402B1 (en) 1998-12-15 1999-12-09 Steel wire with bright looking surface

Publications (2)

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EP1141436A1 true EP1141436A1 (en) 2001-10-10
EP1141436B1 EP1141436B1 (en) 2003-11-26

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EP (2) EP1141436B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002532294A (en)
CN (1) CN1329550C (en)
AT (2) ATE307016T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1560400A (en)
BR (1) BR9916217B1 (en)
DE (2) DE69927858T2 (en)
ES (2) ES2212654T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2000036177A1 (en)

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JP3850004B2 (en) * 1998-12-18 2006-11-29 東京製綱株式会社 Manufacturing method of double anticorrosion wire
WO2002068704A1 (en) * 2001-02-28 2002-09-06 N.V. Bekaert S.A. Colored wire and method of manufacturing
BE1014113A3 (en) * 2001-04-09 2003-05-06 Bekaert Sa Nv STEEL WIRE WITH FLUORESCENT UV lacquer coating.
WO2003100132A1 (en) * 2002-05-23 2003-12-04 N.V. Bekaert S.A. Coated wire and method of producing the same
BRPI0618759A2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2011-09-13 Bekaert Sa Nv thick polymer coated steel wire
US20110033727A1 (en) * 2008-04-21 2011-02-10 Nv Bekaert Sa Bookbinding wire or paperclip wire with degradable, biodegradable and/or compostable coating
CN102787196B (en) * 2012-08-24 2013-10-16 北京首钢国际工程技术有限公司 Method for smelting stainless steel by direct reduced iron
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CN102963057A (en) * 2012-11-22 2013-03-13 南通贝思特科技咨询有限公司 Extremely-thick zinc plating steel wire for submarine cable
PT3201381T (en) * 2014-10-03 2019-02-01 Bekaert Sa Nv A masonry reinforcement structure comprising parallel assemblies of grouped metal filaments and a polymer coating
EP3416518B1 (en) * 2016-02-15 2019-12-18 NV Bekaert SA Wire for hook and eye brassiere closures
CN111844671A (en) * 2020-07-04 2020-10-30 东莞市恩欣龙特种材料有限公司 Special process method for producing PBT plastic rod
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1380402A3 (en) 2004-03-03
DE69927858D1 (en) 2006-03-02
AU1560400A (en) 2000-07-03
ATE307016T1 (en) 2005-11-15
JP2002532294A (en) 2002-10-02
EP1380402A2 (en) 2004-01-14
ES2212654T3 (en) 2004-07-16
EP1380402B1 (en) 2005-10-19
DE69927858T2 (en) 2006-06-22
ATE255172T1 (en) 2003-12-15
CN1330726A (en) 2002-01-09
ES2248705T3 (en) 2006-03-16
WO2000036177A1 (en) 2000-06-22
DE69913199D1 (en) 2004-01-08
BR9916217A (en) 2001-09-11
CN1329550C (en) 2007-08-01
BR9916217B1 (en) 2010-05-18
DE69913199T2 (en) 2004-09-09
EP1141436B1 (en) 2003-11-26

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